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Rutgers will be hoping to take a bite out of opponents in upcoming years at Jersey Mike’s Arena. The iconic Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) now has a fitting new name that is certainly worthy of the Garden State.
On Wednesday, Rutgers athletics announced the new naming rights for the facility that houses several athletic programs. Jersey Mike’s Arena is the home to both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, women’s volleyball and wrestling.
“Jersey Mike’s is the perfect partner for Rutgers Athletics,” Rutgers director of athletics Pat Hobbs said in a statement released by his department.
“Our New Jersey brand extends beyond our borders; it is a state of mind that speaks to our core values of grit and the pursuit of excellence. Jersey Mike’s is an organization also engaged in the relentless pursuit of excellence, so what better partner for the State University of New Jersey?”
The place where we come together as one, relish in victories and cheer for our own has a new name with Jersey roots as strong as those who enter.
Introducing @jerseymikes Arena, home of the Scarlet Knights.
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) November 3, 2021
Jersey Mike’s has grown from a single sandwich shop in Point Pleasant, N.J. into an operation with over 2,000 stores nationally. They will receive prominent signage and placement throughout the facility.
This is the first-ever naming rights in the history of the RAC.
“Rutgers University is a home state neighbor that shares our values of excellence and community involvement,” Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro said in the same statement. “Jersey Mike’s is proud to partner with Rutgers Athletics and celebrate the school’s many dedicated student-athletes and their fans.”
News of the original naming rights deal between Jersey Mike’s and Rutgers was first broken in early October by Jerry Carino.